The Calgary Flames assistant coach was offered the head coaching reins of the fledgling club that will be part of the new Continental Hockey League, but turned it down yesterday.

"It was great insight for how they're going to operate and want to operate, but in the end we couldn't agree on a contract," said

Fleming, who expects to remain in his assistant role after part of Mike Keenan's staff, said both salary and term of a deal were issues that couldn't be decided.

Fleming has one year remaining on his contract with the Flames.

Assistant coaches have a window to leave for bigger and better opportunities.

Instead of packing for a Belarussian winter, Fleming will spend the next while preparing for the Flames summer prospects camp with training camp in September -- which isn't as far away as you'd think -- barring another opportunity coming his way.

Fleming has spent six years of his career coaching in Europe, four in Sweden and one in both Switzerland and Germany. This past season, his role began as a travelling coach, working with players throughout the system, but by the end of the year was in Calgary on a full-time basis.

Like all those who make a career coaching, Fleming has closely watched the firings of several coaches throughout the league.

"Those are very credible and outstanding coaches. It'll take very good people to replace them," he said.